Sheffield is part of an exciting arts and heritage programme which will run alongside the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 this summer.
Featuring a line-up of arts, heritage projects and musical events, the programme will celebrate and explore the rich history of the women’s game. Taking place nationwide across the nine Host Cities and ten stadia, the programme begins this month, ahead of the tournament kick-off on 6 July, and runs throughout the summer season.
In collaboration with the other Host Cities – Brighton & Hove, London (Brent and Hounslow), Manchester, Milton Keynes, Rotherham, Southampton, Trafford and Wigan & Leigh – the programme will reveal untold stories of women’s football and encourage more people to be inspired by the tournament. Through a series of arts and heritage events, the programme will bring the worlds of sport and art together in a national celebration which is set to reach 3 million people nationwide.
In Sheffield this will include UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 outdoor heritage exhibition across the city from 6 – 31 July, an exhibition in Sheffield Central Library and Winter Gardens, The Supercompensation Cycle by Emma Smith warm-up performance on 21 July and Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Pop-Up and Fan Zone performances on 26 July.
New commissions by women artists will be presented throughout the programme, including an immersive artwork for all ages by award-winning visual artist Emma Smith; a new anthem by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra led by celebrated conductor Shirley Thompson OBE; a Stadium for the Future – danced into existence by art, environment and social justice collaboration, Idle Women; as well as a new creative resource for libraries by interdisciplinary artist Deborah Goatley-Birch.
Speaking of the exhibition, Cllr Martin Smith, Chair of the Economic Development Committee at Sheffield City Council said: “The UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 arts and heritage programme helps us tell the fascinating stories of Sheffield’s footballing past and brings the history of the women’s game to life, like we have never been able to before.
“Celebrating sport and culture together means we can engage with and inspire more people in our communities to get involved either actively or creatively. It’s really going to be a summer to remember!”
The arts and heritage programme for the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 tournament is funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Arts Council England, thanks to National Lottery players, and the Host Cities. The programme will be managed by The Football Association (FA), the national governing body of football in England.
It will be the first time the organisation has run such a programme alongside a major tournament, and it hopes to establish female role models for both girls and boys through the arts. It is supported by UEFA, Canal & River Trust and Mayors of London and Greater Manchester.
Caterina Loriggio, Arts and Heritage Lead for the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022, said: ‘We are delighted to be working with an extraordinary group of artists, historians, players, collaborators and institutions across the country to realise a significant arts and heritage programme that will pay tribute to women who have dedicated their lives to the game of football. We are thrilled to be sharing these stories and hope that it will nurture the next generation of fans and women football players.’
Darren Henley, Chief Executive, Arts Council England, added: “The UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 will be a huge event this summer – attracting the world’s attention – and I am very proud that arts, culture and creativity will play such a vital role in the tournament, all thanks to National Lottery players. I hope that everyone takes the opportunity to experience the cultural programme, which has been created by leading female artists, and that it creates a lasting and inspiring legacy.”
Eilish McGuinness, CEO of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, added: “Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, the hidden history and unheard voices of women’s football will be shared for the first time, capturing the full story of the beloved sport. We’re delighted to support this project which will give fans and players the chance to celebrate the history of women’s football and communities the chance to discover their connections to the game.”
For a full outline of the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 arts and heritage programme including events in each Host City, check out the programme here.
